Lakshmi Machine Works Ltd.: Revolutionising technology for the global spinning industry

Cover Story ITMA 2023
Sanjay Jayavarthanavelu, Chairman & Managing Director, Lakshmi Machine Works Ltd.

LMW has established itself as a prominent player in the textile machinery manufacturing industry in India. The company’s unique selling points stem from the country’s promotion as a manufacturing alternative to other countries.

For over six decades, LMW has been a pioneering force in the Indian textile machinery industry.

Founded in 1962, the company has consistently innovated and evolved to meet the changing needs of the industry, making it one of the most trusted and respected names in the business today. LMW’s rich heritage dates back 120 years with its roots deeply embedded in the textile industry.

The company was founded in the early 1960s with a vision to provide end to end contemporary solutions for textile spinning industry. LMW has always been committed to research and development, which has allowed it to stay ahead of the curve in an ever-changing industry. The company’s focus on customercentricity has also set it apart from its competitors with a deep understanding of the unique needs and challenges of its clients.

Today, LMW is a trusted and respected name in the textile machinery industry thanks to its unwavering commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. Over the past six decades, LMW has achieved numerous milestones in the textile machinery industry. At the core of its success has been the commitment to address the needs and gaps that customers experience.

This has led to the introduction of new products, solutions, and technologies, resulting in an extended product range that offers automation and is digitalised.

Indeed, innovation has been the key to LMW’s ability to remain relevant and competitive. As a result, the company has taken several steps to ensure that it stays ahead of the curve, such as investing in research and development, collaborating with industry experts and adopting new technologies. These efforts have enabled LMW to maintain its position as one of the pioneers in the textile industry.

According to the company’s CMD, Sanjay Jayavarthanavelu, the last three years had been the most challenging for businesses worldwide, with LMW being no exception. The Covid-19 pandemic brought about unforeseen changes that impacted the textile industry on an unprecedented scale. Amidst the uncertainty and chaos, the resilience of both the Indian government and entrepreneurs has been commendable to say the least. While keeping people safe and healthy was of the utmost concern, the pandemic had adverse financial and psychological effects on businesses. The textile machinery industry faced significant logistical challenges, including the availability and rising costs of shipping containers. Moreover, international shipping was shut down for three months, causing major disruptions in the supply chain. However, in the textile industry, good logistics and time determine success and LMW remained committed to finding ways to cope with every obstacle presented.

Although it was a trying time, the company weathered the storm with resilience and fortitude.

Complete Solution Provider

LMW has always been a company that focuses on the value chain of spinning, offering solutions beyond the ring frame. It has introduced automatic winding machine and jet spinning machine as OEM products, addressing the need for a comprehensive spinning solution. The production of textile machinery which was earlier labourintensive has now been automated to the extent possible resulting in cost optimization for the company. Furthermore, LMW is committed to improve digitalisation content, making its products and solutions more accessible to customers. The company introduced ‘Spin Connect’, a digital platform that provides customers with real time visibility of LMW’s products installed at their premises.

Additionally, LMW has organised various events and programmes that bring customers closer to the company in terms of after-sales service. LMW is set to showcase its latest innovations in Industry 4.0 and the digitalisation initiative at the ITMA Milan 2023. With a profound understanding of the origins of Industry 4.0, which comes from its extensive experience in the machine tool business, LMW is at the forefront of technological advancements in the textile industry. With over three decades of experience in automation and digitalisation, LMW is uniquely positioned to provide innovative solutions that cater to the evolving needs of its customers.

With its offering of 4S – Smart Solutions for Spinning Success and LMW PACE – Professional Aftermarket Care for Excellence, LMW aims at overall customer delight.

Innovation and Sustainability

The company’s extensive knowledge and expertise allow it to transfer the latest advancements in technology on to the textile side, ensuring it remains ahead of competition. Its latest showcase at the ITMA 2023 event promises to be a testament to its dedication in pushing the boundaries of what is possible in Industry 4.0 and digitalisation. LMW’s commitment to sustainability has been a part of the company’s core values for the last three decades. The company has been investing in renewable energy sources such as wind and solar energy and has become self-sufficient in terms of its energy requirements.

LMW consistently strives to minimise the impact of its manufacturing processes on the environment. The recent GREENCO platinum certification received by its Foundry business vertical stands testimony to this fact. The safety of its employees and the environment has always been a top priority for the company. LMW has instilled within, a culture of respect and understanding for the environment, recognising the impact of industrial processes on humanity and the planet.

As sustainability has become an integral part of its DNA, LMW has pledged its time and resources towards this worthy cause. The company’s commitment to sustainability is a testament to its dedication towards making a positive impact on the environment and society. Moreover, as Sanjay Jayavarthanavelu points out, sustainability also means extending the lifecycle of the products and LMW has been producing machines that are built to last. LMW’s machines have a long product lifecycle, with some of its earliest machines still operational in India even after a period of 30-35 years from their original date of installation.

Its ring frames and carding machines have proven to be incredibly versatile and durable, owing to them being built with solid foundry and sheet metal products. However, the challenge for the company today is the lifecycle of mechatronics and electronics. Despite this, LMW continues to strive to create high-quality and reliable machines for its customers. With good customer connect and excellent manufacturing practices, LMW has established itself as a prominent partner in the global textile machinery manufacturing industry.

With a vast ecosystem that produces quality engineering talent, India has become a preferred destination for textile machinery production. LMW has cultivated trust in its brand among its customers, as well as among budding entrepreneurs who want to invest in the textile industry. While primarily focusing on the Indian industry and customers, LMW aims to increase its export business while adapting to customers’ current needs. The competition in the industry is viewed positively as it keeps LMW constantly innovating and rejuvenating the LMW brand. The company’s adaptability to changing customer needs has been one of the reasons for its success.

Operational Capabilities

On the manufacturing front, LMW currently delivers up to 3 million spindles per year worldwide. One of its unique advantages has been the focus on localization. It relies on an in-house research and development team and manufactures technological components of high quality and consistency, avoiding the need for outsourcing. The company has created an extended family of subcontractors, which has been its strength. LMW aims to get closer to its customers by using technology to understand their precise requirements and predict their future needs. It recognises the fact that supporting older equipment can be a challenge but views it as a journey towards providing customers with a complete solution.

The company exports to countries around the globe and has earned its reputation in terms of execution quality and customer-centricity. In conclusion, Sanjay Jayavarthanavelu has a clear and focused vision for the company’s future in the textile industry. The management’s plan to concentrate on the current portfolio and explore the post-spinning sector shows their dedication to growth and innovation. It is admirable that LMW places emphasis on sustainability and customer concerns, showcasing its commitment to responsible business practices.

By maintaining and strengthening its customer base and increasing the export business, LMW has positioned itself as a significant player in the textile market.

Its goal of making the balance-sheets of its customers more positive is a testament to its dedication towards its clients. Overall, LMW’s vision for the future of its business is inspiring and demonstrates its commitment to excellence in the textile industry.

“Our mission has always been to create an ecosystem of innovation and understanding which has enabled us to provide our clients with technology driven solutions that are adaptive to ever changing market demands,” Sanjay Jayavarthanavelu, Chairman & Managing Director, Lakshmi Machine Works Ltd.